Achtsam und nackig ins neue Jahr!

And another year has come to an end. 2021 brought less variety globally than we all had hoped for. Nevertheless, I wish all of you the strength to recognize beauty in everyday life even in difficult moments with mindfulness! Despite the circumstances, be grateful for the way we get to live and know that all people basically strive for the same... It is becoming clearer to me all the time, and in the past year, my perspective on the people around me has changed fundamentally. How one can enrich their own and others' lives by giving the most valuable thing one can give: attention and acceptance. With that, I wish everyone a successful start to the year 2022!

After arriving from Bergen, a birthday party was immediately waiting for me. Or rather three, because a Frenchman, an Austrian, and my Norwegian flatmate all had birthdays. For this event, a secret organizing committee was formed, which had planned a special party program for the birthday guests. A minimalist cabin near Trondheim was booked for the celebration, with sleeping space for almost all of the 25 guests. Shower not included, but with a cozy outdoor toilet. However, there was electricity and a sink. At the beginning, the birthday guests were blindfolded and decorated with Christmas costumes. Meanwhile, all the men dressed up as sexy elves with Christmas skirts, while the ladies dressed up as reindeer with fabric antlers and red noses. The hosts were naturally delighted with the surprise, and it was a very interesting party. As with anywhere where people are involved, there is of course sometimes the odd drama, which made the night even more memorable in a certain way. The beds were similar to those in the student cabins, so we were all used to them and sleep didn't take long after the partying.

The next day, I received my first visitor in December. The second half of December was filled with activities that I had planned with my visitors. And even if I don't always know how to show it, it touches me deeply to see friends and family again. The first one to visit was a study friend from the Erzgebirge. Alex had decided to visit me spontaneously and surprised me with it. But there is no better excuse than to put uni work on hold to show a buddy a bit of Norway. We explored the city and the Christmas market, talked a lot, and prepared for a cabin trip. I had my eye on the Taagaabu cabin. The first cabin I visited at the beginning of the semester. I remembered that we had to struggle through a winter landscape back then to get to the remote cabin. Arduous, even with snowshoes, but very idyllic. So what could possibly go wrong hiking to the cabin this time without snowshoes? Just a little bit of snow. So we set off around 11 in the morning. As always through beautiful winter panoramas with crisp cold temperatures. We could start walking around 12:30. We shouldn't need more than two hours. However, the snow on the forest path quickly became deep, making uphill walking quite strenuous. But this was nothing compared to the section of the route that cut directly through the wilderness. The last kilometer we waded through waist-deep snow, sometimes soft, sometimes not. Despite his hiking fitness, I naturally had a good laugh at Alex's panting and determined face as he tried not to sink up to his waist with every step. I was partly used to this, so I knew what I was getting into. Nevertheless, this was probably one of the deepest snow depths I had ever experienced.

Once we arrived at the cabin, it was time to make a fire as usual and clear the way to the toilet. The cabin atmosphere was thick, as always.

By moonlight, we could see outside without a lamp, and standing in the quiet moonlit forest landscape is a very special experience. After this day, we had a long and well-deserved sleep. The descent the next day was somewhat easier, and we enjoyed the low winter sun once again.

On the afternoon of that day, we visited a newly built sauna in the harbor area of Trondheim. With direct access to the water, it promised to be a good cardiovascular exercise. The funny thing about our visit was that one of the employees noticed that we were German and promptly wanted to know all about the German sauna culture and the infamous "aufguss" method. We demonstrated how a sauna master in Germany does the aufguss and then spreads the steam with a towel. This sauna form is rather unknown in Norway. Most of the time, people sit in one of several small saunas and pour normal water on themselves. As a small thank you, we were allowed to test a fragrance oil that they had somewhere. The two Norwegian women who were in the sauna with us also took some new insights into the sauna culture with them. Before I was allowed to send Alex back to Germany, I served him a whale steak dinner. Now I am eagerly looking forward to my return and the next reunion.

Just as he left, my Christmas and New Year delegation arrived. My father and his wife had been planning a visit for a long time, so I was very pleased that it finally worked out. They rented an apartment in the city center. Since almost everyone in my flat has traveled home by now, I gladly joined them. So I had family around me during Christmas. For the next day, December 24th, we had booked another cabin. The Flåkoia cabin that I visited in November had hopefully become mouse-free by now, so the choice was not difficult. It offers good accessibility and a sauna by the lake, making it an extravagant experience. And extravagant it was. The access was only possible with snow chains, which surprisingly worked very well. At the winter parking lot, we packed our backpacks. We also loaded one and a half sacks of wood so that heating would not be a problem. Then we mostly walked uphill towards the cabin. To underline the atmosphere, I played a few pieces of music from Lord of the Rings with my speaker, which fit extraordinarily well with the peaceful winter landscape. And so the companions with their loads traveled through the winter forest. Flåkoia was now naturally covered with snow, and the lake also stretched out as a white expanse in front of us. Thanks to our dry wood that we brought with us, we were able to start the fires easily, and while Anne looked after them, my old man and I went out again to fetch logs from a slightly remote storage place. We pulled a sled that was stored next to the cabin and cautiously took the path over the lake this time. As far as I knew, the ice was thick enough. However, due to the initial load, the edges of the shore still cracked audibly and eerily. The twilight enhanced the somewhat tense atmosphere. Even on the way back with the loaded sled, it went well, so we transported enough wood for the people after us to have some as well.

We prepared a dinner from simple canned dishes, and gifts were exchanged. Apparently, I have now been labeled as an absolute outdoor guy, so I naturally received a modern filter bottle that will provide me with good water quality in any body of water. I still had my gift in Trondheim. I had bought drinking horns in Lofoten and cleaned them, but I applied food lacquer to them a little too late, so they were still drying.

The sauna was, of course, heated up, and despite initial concerns about the heating time and temperature, it didn't take long for the stones to get hot enough. Saunaing in the middle of Norwegian nature and cooling off in the snow... Add some starry sky to that, and you could think you're in a movie. The intervals between cooling breaks became shorter as the sauna temperature increased, until the sauna became so hot that it was almost unbearable. That's the way to get the blood circulation going!

The night passed quietly and without the sound of any little roommates. The return trip the next day was somewhat easier due to the reduced load of wood, and we reached the car after a short time.

However, we had to realize due to the nocturnal snowfall that not only Peperoni was completely snowed in, but also the already snow-covered road had received another thick layer. We cleared a short runway to gain momentum and prepared for the drive. Any wrong movement of the steering wheel could have immediately led to sliding into one of the side ditches. To not be too slow to make progress and not too fast to maintain control was a very challenging act. But at the beginning, we were slowed down every 30 meters by the snow bank accumulating in front of the hood. It always had to be cleared away first. After 4 of these shoveling actions, the forest path was finally steep enough that we could keep going. However, with a small disadvantage. The previously accumulated snow had to go somewhere. Now that we had picked up speed, enormous snow waves formed, which rushed over the hood and over the windshield. The visibility was sometimes completely obscured by this, and it was quite thrilling. Nevertheless, I managed to stay on the road, so we finally reached more cleared areas. All in all, a pompous conclusion to a successful trip.

We spent the next few days in Trondheim. My visitors were able to enjoy a bit more vacation time, and I prepared a few university tasks before we drove to the west coast on December 27th. Thomas and Anne had planned to celebrate New Year's Eve in a big house with friends that belonged to them. Unfortunately, due to Corona, they canceled the trip, so it was only the three of us who set off to spend the next few days on the island of Averøy. The journey to the island was challenging, with snowy and sometimes very slippery roads. From an almost accident, where I took part of the snow pushed up at the roadside, I learned to take more responsibility for the road despite intense conversations. We reached the house in the evening, and a friendly neighbor originally from Dresden handed over the key and a pleasantly preheated house. It was immediately apparent that the area was known for its fishing opportunities. The house had an entire room with fishing equipment consisting of endless bait, hooks, swivels, and much more. The friend who owns the house also runs an outdoor store in Chemnitz, which is why he always makes sure to have enough equipment on-site.

The house itself was huge and resembled more of an inn than a holiday apartment. We each took separate bedrooms and settled in. The kitchen on the upper floor served as the center of coziness. The next few days were all about relaxation. The two-seater paddle boat stored in the double garage came in handy. From the sheltered bay, my father and I paddled a few meters into the North Sea, where you can feel the waves and the air is clear and salty. Bladderwrack can be seen here and there at shallow depths on the surface, creating an eerie rustling noise as you paddle through with the kayak. From the water, it is also easy to observe the rock formations on the coast, and you can let your exploratory spirit run free. The large bridge onto the island is also extremely impressive from the water.

In the afternoon, we packed the fishing gear again to explore the local shores. The weather was good, the bait was attached, and the rods were assembled. Only the current was not on our side. At that time, the ebb drew the water back into the sea, along with the nutrients that attract the fish. Nevertheless, we tried our luck and were able to experience a beautiful sunset on a nearby shore. We didn't catch anything that day, but we still enjoyed the beautiful atmosphere.

We also spent the evenings in equal relaxation. Whether watching a movie or relaxing in the hot tub.

Do you fancy a bit of philosophy? I can provide that. Free or deterministic will? Are the identities we ascribe to each other dulling? To what extent could certain drugs contribute to a new consciousness culture? The spectrum is wide, and engaging in discourse with others helps us grow. Provided we have a healthy skepticism towards our own opinion. Humility is an important trait but must also be cultivated. It was very convenient that my conversation partners couldn't run away from me, so there was plenty of time for conversation. One fishing trip was still successful, so we had a dinner where we had fresh cod. Prepared by the lady of the house and cooked in the oven. Eating the fish like this was something different, and the connection was much more direct than throwing a frozen fillet into the pan. One evening, I took the time to go kayaking alone again. At the time, Thomas and Anne were walking to the local supermarket. I accompanied them on the water for a while. I also had a headlamp with me because dusk was already descending over the islands. The last golden rays of the sun faded away and left me with the deep, dark water. At least until I shone my headlamp down into the water from the boat. The sheltered water in the bays offers a rich flora and fauna that can be observed wonderfully in the light and through the clarity of the water. Kayaking alone in complete darkness is quite extraordinary, but I had a life jacket with me, and the shore was never far away. Here too, the bladderwrack hissed at me as my boat pushed through it in shallow water, and small fish stared due to the surprising brightness.

I still had to go through a section on my round around the island that borders directly on the open water. However, since the sea was calm, I leaned back and enjoyed the gentle sway of the waves. The sky had partially cleared, revealing some of the stars. As you can probably imagine, another one of those stereotypically wonderful moments I seem to write about all the time here. Nevertheless. To look up at the starry sky alone in the boat in the gentle sway of the sea and in the darkness... What more is there to say...

In between, we also had a short fishing trip to the Atlantic coast. Unfortunately, we didn't catch anything again, but we simply enjoyed the landscape once again and observed the coastal cliffs.

We also spent New Year's Eve in the hot tub outdoors, and I was surprised to see that the islanders are not sparing with fireworks. On the contrary, the otherwise prevailing tranquility of the idyllic islands is apparently balanced out once a year with a lot of noise.

On January 2, 2022, it was time to go home again. The mild and damp weather had meanwhile melted most of the ice on the roads. In the interior of the country, however, we once again drove through snow-covered valleys.

As a farewell, we dined at the pizza buffet in Tyholt Tower. Whether at night or during the day, the rotating restaurant at a height of 80 meters is always a nice experience. You can also spy on Norwegians very well from above. Apparently, some people leave their electric cars with the lights on overnight... That's something you only find in Norway. The parting was relaxed. I will be back soon as well. After I dropped them off at the airport hotel, I felt a little uneasy on the way back.

There is only one solution - immerse myself in work. And now I have a phase where I can concentrate exclusively on my work. I will soon submit a mini-study for a heat pump conference that will take place here in Trondheim. I still need to add a few results. It's best to work when the wind is roaring outside the window. And thanks to the Gyda storm, which blew warm and humid air over Trondheim from the North Sea on January 12th and 13th, there was plenty of wind as well. During a session in our old bunker sauna by the fjord, we could only lean against the wet wind this time. Going into the fjord was out of the question. Experiencing the fjord in turmoil with such high waves was a very cool experience.

I probably won't experience much more now. Most of the time, I will be writing my work. The next entry will probably be dedicated mainly to the review. I can probably already start packing a few things...

Well then, my dears. Keep your spirits up. See you soon.